Walden Worcester sockets

[Flinter987]

I bought a box of USA Craftsman the other day from a local guy. I started sorting through everything and was pleasantly surprised when I found these old Walden Worcester sockets!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice. Those look like the black oxide finish sockets from I think the 40s.

 

[d42jeep]

They probably came in a box like this.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

For anyone interested in a technical, historical perspective, my research has revealed that "black oxide" - the solution and the term - was invented by E.F. Houghton & Company in late 1941 in direct response to War Production Board restrictions on nickel- and chrome-plating. Like triple-alloy steels*, invented by a government-industry-academia consortium in 1941 and 1942, it did not exist prior to WWII. It is a high alkaloid solution finish baked on at 295*F. In my experience, no mfgrs made more extensive use of it than Walden-Worcester and Sherman-Klove. You will find other wartime black oxide tools, but not nearly as often or as common as Walden or S-K.

* I have a long-held theory that Vitalloy and Zenel were secret triple alloys.

 

[d42jeep]

I knew that there must be a reason that I prefer the dark wartime midget sets.
-Don Houghton

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha! It's in your blood. Doesn't get more perfect than that.

 

[tackesp]

Just found this site. Have been reading Alloy Artifacts. They list "modern era" sockets but can't find the set I have. It might be too new for them. It is a beefy 3/4 drive set( 1- 1 1/2) with nothing other than Walden, an equal sign on either end of the socket number, and a socket ID beginning with 50SP then the socket measure in 32nds. Is anyone familiar with this set. It is in a small case. I wonder if it is an impact set? Sure glad I found this site.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sounds like a cool set. Not one I am familiar with. Any pics?

 

[GalaxyRat]

I knew that there must be a reason that I prefer the dark wartime midget sets.
-Don Houghton

Do you have a part number for the 1/4" Walden ratchet? I am looking for one and can't find a part number for the black oxide, I have that same set but am missing a socket or two and the ratchet.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Oldtuleguy]

3150b

 

[jgromada]

Does the black oxide finish imply it is impact usable?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

No, not on these wartime sets. Black oxide was a finish invented at the outset of WWII as an alternative to chrome-plating. Only much later did it become synonymous with impact socketry.

 

[jgromada]

Thank you. That probably means some other older stuff i have like plomb universal sockets are not impact ready either

 

[d42jeep]

I probably see 50 or more chrome plated Walden ratchets for every dark finish one.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thank you. That probably means some other older stuff i have like plomb universal sockets are not impact ready either

Definitely not.

Ironically, I sometimes end up bringing home very grungy impact sockets from the flea market unintentionally, if they're hard to read markings, because some of them resemble very early cold-broached heavy-walled sockets from the late 20's and 30's, which were really heavy, especially at the base.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Thank you! I just bought a chrome plated one so at least have one 1/4" laying around.

3150b

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[outofbounds]

Here's a 1" socket x 1/2" drive - No. 232

 

[tackesp]

Hello once again,
Finally got around to getting some photos of this group of Walden 3/4 inch drive heavy duty sockets. I have gap at 1 3/16th" ( 50 P 38) with the range being 1" - 1 1/2". They make no mention of Worcester on them so it leads me to believe they are not real old timers. As beefy as they are, I am inclined to think they are impact sockets. There is a small through hole near the top in the groove. If anyone has encountered these it would be enjoyable learn a little about them. I have been doing intermittent searches for the last few months and have not seen anything that looks like or is labeled like these. Thanks for any assistance you might offer.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those are definately impact sockets

 

[tackesp]

Thank you,
Have you any suggestions where one might research these?

 

[four.cycle]

There are a few Walden catalogs available for download HERE:
https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary

Unfortunately there's a dearth of Walden catalogs.

I have a lot of early Walden product listings in old hardware catalogs, but it all pre-dates what you have there.

 

[leg17]

Made by Apex??

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Impact sockets can be tough to date

 

[tackesp]

I believe this set is likely 70-90's as the previous owner is in his early 90's and has hung up the wrenches. He was an over the road driver and race car driver. So I think these are pre- Apex. Wondering if Walden utilized catalogs into this time period? Also, wondered if Walden was carried by a particular retail outlet; perhaps a retail auto parts retailer? Thanks.